BIG E IN BIG EASY: Eddy Curry, who hasn't played since bumping knees with the Lakers' Andrew Bynam on Nov. 24, could return to action Friday in New Orleans. Photo: AP

Knicks center Eddy Curry is lighter on his feet these days but doesn’t want to be a heavy burden on the new, tight rotation. Curry, his left knee healed, is ready to return Friday in New Orleans, but is concerned about raining on the Knicks’ Mardi Gras parade.

“I want to try to blend in and not mess them up,” Curry said after the Knicks’ fourth win in five games Monday night over Portland. “They’re really rolling right now. I don’t want to be the reason we lose the game. It’s going to be touchy for me. I trust Coach puts me in there when he feels I’m ready.”

Mike D’Antoni is on a roll. His decision to remove Nate Robinson has looked like genius. The Knicks coach has another massive decision to make in New Orleans, and it’s not whether to order the jambalaya or seafood gumbo.

The Eddy decision is layered in complexity. For the short-term, sticking with what’s been working, what’s gotten them back to talking playoffs, seems the right move. The 6-foot-11 Jared Jeffries has played a huge role in strengthening the defense. D’Antoni felt Jeffries was the MVP of the Portland win. Curry’s strength, as we know, is not defense.

But Curry’s viability for the long term is paramount. If Curry plays well enough, he could attract interest from other teams, and Donnie Walsh could be in position to trade his long-term contract and open up cap space to sign two maximum-contract free agents this summer. If Curry excels, he also can become another piece to draw a 2010 free agent, as one of the few veterans with a contract beyond this season.

“Trade bait?” Curry asked. “I’m going to relish any moment I can to play. Whether playing me to trade me, or playing me because they want to win games, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want to get out there. Although I don’t want to be traded.”

Before the Blazers win, D’Antoni said Curry would return to the rotation. But his tight, eight-man unit has launched the Knicks on a three-game winning streak after one of their most successful weeks in the darkest nine-season period in franchise history.

“They’re playing with confidence, where before they weren’t sure of themselves,” Walsh told The Post. “I’d like to bottle it.” Seven days, five games, four wins over three solid clubs: Phoenix, Atlanta and Portland.

“The players who are playing get better rhythm, get more secure on the court,” D’Antoni said of the smaller rotation. “This game is a lot about confidence and being able to react without thinking. We feel we have a tighter group that plays better.”

The Knicks (7-15), who did not practice yesterday, get back on the court today and tomorrow before jetting to New Orleans. D’Antoni wants to see Curry in practice.

Curry dressed Monday but did not play, missing his eighth straight game since twisting his knee in Los Angeles two weeks ago, which put on hold his four-game comeback.

“He will be (back in the rotation),” D’Antoni said. “I was more prepared he come back on Friday.”